At dawn, the Virunga Mountains rise like guardians over Rwanda’s northern horizon. Their misty peaks, home to the famous mountain gorillas, have become symbols not only of natural beauty but also of an industry reshaping lives across the country “tourism”.
In recent years, Rwanda has built a reputation, as one of Africa is safest and most sustainable destinations. Beyond the glossy brochures, however, lie personal stories of how tourism has redefined livelihoods, strengthened families and inspired personal reinvention.
A couple rebuilding through tourism
In Musanze, a town that serves as a gateway to Volcanoes National Park, Patrick and Alice Mukamana run a small eco-lodge. Five years ago, their marriage was under strain. Patrick worked long hours as a driver in Kigali, while Alice stayed home to care for their two children.
“When we heard visitors wanted authentic village experiences,” Alice recalls, “we decided to turn our small plot into guest cottages.” With support from a local cooperative funded by Rwanda Development Board, they built three traditional huts.
Today, the couple manages everything together from guiding cultural dances to cooking traditional dishes. Patrick says tourism didn’t just bring financial stability; it brought them closer. “We share responsibilities, we host together and we dream together. Our marriage feels stronger now.”
Tourism through the eyes of a family
In Rubavu, by the shores of Lake Kivu, the Ngirabatware family earns a living from boat tours. Their story is typical of how tourism extends benefits beyond hotels and national parks.
Before tourism grew, Jean de Dieu, the father, worked as a fisherman, often struggling to feed his family. However, when visitors started seeking lake excursions, he repurposed his fishing boat. His wife, Claudine, now sells handmade jewelry to tourists, while their teenage son acts as a translator for English-speaking visitors.
Claudine says, “We used to think only the rich benefit from tourism. Now, my family eats well, my children go to school, and we are respected in the community.”
The family illustrates how tourism revenue cascades into small businesses, school fees and community pride.
An Individual’s reinvention
For Marie Claire Uwizeye, tourism was an unexpected path to independence. After surviving a difficult divorce, she returned to her home village near Nyungwe Forest, uncertain about the future.
“I felt like my life was finished,” she says quietly. But through a community-based tourism program, Marie Claire trained as a bird-watching guide. Today, she leads groups of international birders through Nyungwe’s dense canopy.
Her voice brightens as she describes spotting the rare Albertine Rift endemics. “When tourists clap for me after I find a bird, I feel alive again. Tourism gave me dignity.”
Marie Claire now supports her two children alone, pays her own rent and mentors other women who seek financial independence.
Tourism contributes over 10% to Rwanda’s GDP and employs thousands. However, its benefits ripple far beyond statistics. It empowers women, heals families and offers new beginnings for individuals.
Dr. Emmanuel, a tourism researcher, explains: “Tourism here is more than economic growth. It’s a social glue, giving people a reason to value their culture, protect their environment and work together as families and communities.”
The government’s strategy to focus on sustainable and community-based tourism ensures that earnings are not confined to luxury hotels but reach farmers, artisans, and guides in rural villages.
Back in Musanze, as evening falls, Patrick and Alice welcome a young couple from Germany into their eco-lodge. The visitors listen to local songs under a fire-lit sky, unaware that the smiles of their hosts carry a deeper meaning.
For the Mukamanas, the Ngirabatware family and Marie Claire, Rwanda’s tourism is not just about gorillas, lakes or forests. It is about survival, dignity and hope.
As Rwanda positions itself as a model for sustainable tourism in Africa, these testimonies reveal its truest impact: “The transformation of everyday lives.”
BY KAYITESI Ange
